Erik ten Hag’s side were in need of inspiration from somewhere against Everton, and they got it from their five-time Ballon d'Or winner
Manchester United made it five victories from their last six Premier League games with a 2-1 win away at Everton, with Cristiano Ronaldo delivering another timely reminder of what he can still offer.
Erik ten Hag has restricted Ronaldo to a bit-part role this season, but the Portugal star has not earned a reputation as one of the very best by giving up and walking away from a challenge.
He has nothing to prove in the most remarkable of playing careers, but will still take heart from silencing a few detractors and reaching another individual milestone when registering his first league goal of the season at Goodison Park.
That effort has taken him to 700 at club level, while Antony was also on target for United in the Merseyside rain as they responded positively to falling behind early on to an impressive 20-yard strike from Alex Iwobi.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Cristiano Ronaldo:
The Portuguese superstar found himself filling a familiar role on the bench when the team sheets dropped, but his opportunity to impress came earlier than anybody could have predicted. The all-time great is always raring to go and, with less then 30 minutes on the clock, he had enough time against Everton in which to make a decisive contribution and reach another career landmark. There was never any doubt where the ball was ending up when he was sent scampering clear by Casemiro shortly before half-time, with a low left-footed effort drilled beyond Jordan Pickford and into the back of the net. With Anthony Martial forced off through injury, a starting berth in the central striking role may once again be his for the taking.
Antony:
The Brazil international winger was branded a “one-trick pony” by United legend Paul Scholes in midweek, but that solitary act in his personal magic show may be enough to make him a key figure at Old Trafford. Having already found the target against Arsenal and Manchester City, Antony showcased his finishing ability once again at Goodison as he made no mistake when sweeping the ball beyond Pickford. There is the promise of more to come from the South American once he is fully up to speed in the Premier League.
Marcus Rashford:
The England international has never shied away from the fact that he feels happiest when operating from the left flank, and he could find himself settling back into that role for the foreseeable future. Ten Hag will find it difficult to drop a Ronaldo that is scoring goals, while more game time is being promised to Martial when fit, and that should play into Rashford’s hands. There will be less pressure on him to get goals when drifting out wide – with one ruled out for handball at Goodison – while that is also the position that offers him the best chance of earning a place in England’s plans for the 2022 World Cup.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
Casemiro:
Handed his first Premier League start, Casemiro got off to the worst possible start inside six minutes. The Brazilian saw his pocket picked in midfield, allowing the ball to be fed into Alex Iwobi, and the Nigeria international made no mistake as he fired into the top corner from the edge of the box. The South American – who missed a glorious chance to get his own name on the scoresheet in the first half before teeing up Ronaldo – is still getting to grips with the physicality and pace of the English top-flight and there is clearly more to come from him.
Anthony Martial:
The French forward worked his way into contention for a first start of the campaign with his brace off the bench against Manchester City, but he appeared to be nursing a hip complaint in the warm-up, which forced him to head back to the dressing room a little earlier than planned. In the end, he lasted less than half-an-hour once the action got underway. Martial did provide the assist for Antony’s effort that restored parity early on, before having a couple of half-chances himself, but an opportunity to put down a serious marker in the battle to be United’s go-to No.9 slipped through his grasp as he headed to the touchline and back on to the treatment table.
Jadon Sancho:
While Martial and Ronaldo may be playing their way back into favour, Sancho could find himself heading in the opposite direction. Competition for places in attacking positions is fierce at Old Trafford, with Rashford and Antony also added to the mix. They will feel that starting berths are theirs to lose, which leaves Sancho as the odd man out. He will see game time with United competing on multiple fronts at home and abroad, but any opportunities to impress now need to be grabbed with both hands after spending 90 minutes on the bench against Everton.
Getty ImagesMan Utd Ratings: Defence
David de Gea (6/10):
Was quick to spot danger in a sweeper keeper role, but did not have too much to do.
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
Solid enough in testing conditions and continues to make the right-back berth his own.
Victor Lindelof (6/10):
Made his 200th appearance for United and was largely untroubled.
Lisandro Martinez (6/10):
Avoided any questions of his height being asked as Dominic Calvert-Lewin started on the bench.
Luke Shaw (6/10):
Will be pleased to make the starting XI again at club level, but should expect more rotation when everybody is fit.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Christian Eriksen (7/10):
Remains a classy operator and will always look to pull the strings from a deep-lying midfield post.
Casemiro (6/10):
A mixed evening that saw him start slowly but tee up Ronaldo's goal and slowly grow into the game.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10):
Not at his talismanic best, but still put himself about and drew plenty of full-blooded challenges from the hosts.